Governor presents $300,000
for Woolwich pavement repairs

Work is a good 10 years overdue

(Woolwich Township) - Governor James E. McGreevey joined State and local officials and residents of Woolwich Township today to present a $300,000 check that will help defray the cost of repaving three township roads.

The Governor, State Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere and Assemblyman John Burzichelli presented Mayor Joe Chila with the $300,000 check on Heatherton Road, one of three residential streets that will be paved this fall with the monies.

“For ten years, the homeowners on Heritage Drive, Heatherton Road and Briarwood Drive have lived with substandard, unpaved roads, as well as accompanying auto damage,” said McGreevey. “Today, we are saying ‘enough is enough’ and we’re providing the residents of Woolwich with $300,000 towards the cost of paving the entire roads. This is yet another step forward in our efforts to improve the quality of life in our communities.”

For nearly a decade, residents of Heritage Drive, Heatherton Road and Briarwood Drive have endured substandard roads, after the developer failed to finish pavement work. The residential streets have substandard paving that needs frequent repairs.

“Whether we’re resurfacing our Interstates, or helping make local streets navigable and safe, we are committed to improving the everyday lives of New Jersey’s residents one highway and one road at a time,” said Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere.

Bids for the projects will be released in September, and the work completed sometime this fall, according to Mayor Joe Chila. The total cost of the project is expected to be $1.4 million. The Mayor thanked Assemblyman John Burzichelli, whom he credited for bringing the matter to the Governor’s attention.

"Property taxpayers in Woolwich shouldn't be left holding the entire bill for road construction that was the responsibility of developers," said Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli (D-Paulsboro). "By providing a $300,000 grant, the state is able to help complete the road surfacing and at the same time deliver property tax relief to township residents."

"Although Woolwich is experiencing unprecedented growth, residents shouldn't be asked to sacrifice safe, finished roadways simply because a developer did not finish the job," said Senator Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford). "The state has stepped in to make sure the roads are completed without asking residents to cover all of the cost. This grant is a shining example of state tax dollars working for the people of the Third District."

The Governor has made road surface quality an issue of importance statewide. Recently, Commissioner Lettiere announced a new initiative—Pavement Management Program—that will use new computer-based technology to survey road conditions and monitor the surfaces of pavement. It is expected that this program will save millions annually in road repair costs.

Since taking office, the Governor has made improving the quality of New Jersey’s roadways and transportation network a top priority. To keep commuters moving, he has fired the E-Z Pass vendor, is creating high-speed E-Z Pass lanes and has promised to create 20,000 new commuter parking spots at park and ride locations all over the State. He has also undertaken a massive reform of the Division of Motor Vehicles and has implemented a Highway Safety plan that includes the #77 campaign and the Safe Corridors initiative.